Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted Friday that he could "understand the clamour" for Jose Mourinho to become England's next manager.
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has emerged as the favourite to replace Steve McClaren after refusing to rule himself out of the running.
And Manchester City manager Eriksson, who led England for five years before stepping down after the 2006 World Cup, believes the Portuguese coach could be in line for "the biggest job in world football".
"I can understand the clamour for Mourinho. He is colourful and the media love him, so of course I can understand it," said Eriksson.
"He has also been very successful, but to be the England manager you must win every game, not do anything in your private life and hopefully not earn too much money! They are the only qualities you need and if you have those, you are perfect.
"I don't want to say that I am supporting Mourinho because I support everyone and it is not my job. But the biggest football job in Europe and in the world is to be the England manager. That is it.
"The Champions League is big and it is fantastic, but to compare it to the World Cup? No chance. The World Cup is, and will be forever, the number one, so to play in the World Cup or be involved as a manager is the biggest by far."
Eriksson became the first foreigner to take charge of England when he replaced Kevin Keegan in 2001 and he believes Mourinho's success at Porto and Chelsea will ensure him the respect of England's player.
"Mourinho has already shown that he is big with Porto and with Chelsea, so if he has been winning trophies for them, he can do it with England as well," Eriksson said.
"The job is not that different. Once you have the players on the pitch, it is the same as being a manager at a club. Knowing the players as he does would be an advantage, of course.
"He knows all the Chelsea players and he worked with them for three years in the Premier League, so that would help him, especially in the beginning.
"Is he too young to be an international manager? Well that is completely up to him."
The Football Association (FA) are canvassing opinion from top names in football over the vacancy and Eriksson is prepared to aid their search.
He said: "The FA have not asked me, but if they phone and ask me, then yes of course I will tell them."
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